Willie Thrower Heart Walk aims to bring awareness of heart disease in New Kensington

Melvyn Smith and Willie Thrower grew up together in New Kensington and used to attend Steelers games together. Now, as one of the founders of the Willie Thrower Heart Walk, Smith is honoring the football legend’s life and legacy.

“We wanted to enhance awareness of heart health and acknowledge the legacy of Willie Thrower and his many accomplishments,” said Smith, 77.

Thrower, who died of a heart attack in 2002 at 71, was from New Kensington. As the first Black quarterback in the NFL, playing for the Chicago Bears, his career broke racial barriers. According to the Willie Thrower Award Foundation, Thrower had a successful collegiate athletic career and played with Canadian teams after the Chicago Bears.

The Willie Thrower Heart Walk is considered a neighborhood walk, Smith said. It will take place beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at Feldarelli Square, 2300 Freeport Road in New Kensington. The walk is a 5K, or about 3.1 miles, but there also will be options for a 1-mile walk.

Last year, the Willie Thrower Award Foundation organized and sponsored the first heart walk in Thrower’s honor, garnering about 25 participants. This year, 60 walkers are expected, and all proceeds will go to the American Heart Association, which is partnering with the foundation.

The Dee Dee Steppers team, led by coach and Willie Thrower Award Foundation board member Diane Hightower, has a goal of raising $2,500.

Hightower is heavily involved in coordinating the walk. This is not the first time the foundation has honored Thrower and his family while educating the community about heart disease. Hightower said the enthusiasm around giving back also is in the spirit of Thrower, who enjoyed community service. The foundation also will host a Willie Thrower Homecoming Parade at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

“He loved New Kensington,” Hightower said. “Giving back to the American Heart Association was something the board embraced, and the Thrower family felt very passionate about it.”

Hightower said the American Heart Association has shown great interest in Thrower’s story and has helped with more than just the walk’s logistics.

“They also wanted to learn more about our community,” she said.

When Smith thinks about Thrower’s legacy in sports, he said, “I see a man who went further than any other Black man went at that time, and it was years later before another Black man advanced that far.”

Smith also reflects on the love and appreciation for who Thrower was and what he stood for. He is looking forward to a good turnout and good weather for the walk.

“That will make me happy,” he said.

This year, participants can expect a prayer blessing from Pastor Judy Moore, a close friend of the Thrower family, before the walk.

Melvin Thrower, Willie’s son, also will speak about how his father’s death impacted his life and caused him to make lifestyle changes.

Registrants will receive what Hightower calls a New Kensington-themed bag with swag from local businesses and the Chicago Bears. The Digital Foundry donated the bags. Westmoreland Community Action and Costello Printing & Graphics donated children’s books, and Re:Build Manufacturing also contributed items.

Volunteers will include members of the Thrower family and students from Valley High School.

Rae Mason, the great-niece of Willie Thrower and owner of Mason’s Hotel in Upper Burrell, will host walkers for a complimentary heart-healthy lunch from 1 to 3 p.m.

“He was my great-uncle, my mother’s uncle. To honor both my mom, Jennifer Thrower Mason, and Uncle Willie, I wanted to do this,” Mason said. “Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death, especially among Black people and women.”

She hopes people joining the walk and lunch will get to know more about the culture of New Kensington.

Registrations still are being accepted, and walkers can register on the day of the walk.